What's the status of the project. The last I heard per the Northside Sun, they probably were not going to come.----I figured with all the lawyers that live close to the COSTCO proposed site, there would be lawsuits filed. I wouldn't think that any involved with this deal would welcome a light shined on their shenanigans.

Lovely work. You went to all that trouble for nothing. No secrets revealed. No kickbacks. Positive growth for Mississippi. Why so personal? It is. You can't deny. Please reveal why? Were you caught up in the so-called web at some point?

9:36 - agree, 9:37 - what constitutes an conflict? 9:40 - get real, people hire and associate with "known quantities" to ensure things are handled with some degree of predictability. 9:50 - how does money flow back to Phil Bryant, is that an allegation?

This is an interesting, albeit simplistic association chart, but lacks many details, such as dates, individual associations and commodity flows.

Positive growth for Mississippi @10:28? The governor strong arming to benefit one law firm because his daughter works there. Tater benefiting one law firm because his on again off again contract worker works there. You have to love republican ideologies.

KF, have you heard anything to rebut the fast-approaching deadline Sarah Fowler cites in this article?

"The developer who hopes to build a Costco as part of the Renaissance expansion in Ridgeland and receive a $29.6 million tax rebate from the state has approximately nine months to buy land, build and complete a $98 million dollar project before his certificate expires and the rebate vanishes."

Absent some sort of an extension in the offing or an exception, that article came out over a month ago, so there are now fewer than 8 months left to purchase, build and hand over a certificate of completion in order for Mattiace to get his $29.6 mil back from the MDA. I don't see how it can get done, not to mention ongoing Corps of Engineers wetlands investigations, legal obstructions lodged by neighbors, etc. This would appear to be a most promising angle for those opposed to the development at that site. Wondering if you've seen any of this debunked or if there is reason to disbelieve this deadline is set in stone.

At the epicenter of all of this is former governor Waley Barbour who laid the groundwork for these ridiculous tax credits. Everyone is giving Deputy Phil way too much credit. And remember, Waley knew he was joining BS before he pardoned those criminals and left office --- it was a bigger plan than Deputy Phil could ever plot out.

Trying to create controversy out of this "web" chart is pretty far out there, even for the tin-foil-clad crowd on this site... If one of you Kingfish disciples were going to develop some property or - you know, contribute to the economy somehow - which law firm would you hire to represent you? Would you hire a local firm with attorneys with actual knowledge and experience, or would you hire a renegade sole practictioner (let's call him "Mill Bay") who's never worked on a large development project in his life but has nothing else to do with his time? Maybe he's somewhat familiar with the process because he has personally benefited from his family's participation in the same tax benefits (wink), but he's never done any work on any projects like that himself. Would you choose Mill Bay to represent you? Or I guess you could always hire a guy who represents slumlords and sues the city every chance he gets, but that wouldn't be very productive now, would it?

And the Governor? I imagine that guy is "tied in" to a whole bunch of big projects in the state. I bet he was somehow involved in that whole "Nissan" project, or maybe even the "Whole Foods" con too - someone should look into that crook! OMG I saw him at Char one time -- I bet he had probably even met the owners of Highland Village before!!!

You people kill me. How long did it take you to figure out this "web of deceit" and then you took the time to open MS Paint and draw it out? Go do something productive. Go dig up dirt on actual criminals or something. Sheesh.

This Republican VS Democrat crap is so tiresome. Personally, I HATE both parties. I regard them BOTH as being nothing more than TREASON MACHINES. And behind the facades and vote-getting strategies, there's probably no difference between the parties. They're all a bunch of whores and whoremongers.

The only possible difference, here, is that if Democrats had been the primary players, then after the "appropriation" of all those public monies, NOTHING WOULD HAVE BEEN BUILT.

Absent some sort of an extension in the offing or an exception, that article came out over a month ago, so there are now fewer than 8 months left to purchase, build and hand over a certificate of completion in order for Mattiace to get his $29.6 mil back from the MDA. I don't see how it can get done, not to mention ongoing Corps of Engineers wetlands investigations, legal obstructions lodged by neighbors, etc. This would appear to be aPLUM LOBBYING OPPORTUNITY for anyone wanting or needing to wet their beak. Like they say: "A deadline is a scheduled shakedown opportunity with a nicer name. Since when do bad things happen to properly connected people?" Option one: Leave the money on the table because the deadline can't be met. Option two: Change the rules using the friends and family plan. Like there is a choice.

Does anyone even know why Mississippi has an attorney general or auditor?It is ridiculous to see all these politicians running ads against public corruption but no one seems to do anything about it.Only in Mississippi could a strip center mall with a big box disckount store be an economic development tourist attraction. Folks, get your hands out of the state treasury, no way is retail business economic development.

It seems like anyone who is involved in bringing Jackson and Mississippi to anywhere near the economic level of other states is assumed to be corrupt and/or immoral. This development will be good for many, many Mississippi citizens. Yes, the developers will make big money but we ordinary citizens have no way accomplish such big developments. So....do you want the developments to "not happen" so no one gets anything? or do you want to let the developers do their thing so that we can profit as well?

1:48, the fact is that plenty of "big developments" have already "been accomplished". There was no real need for any more. As it is, "big developments" in Jackson are languishing - being snapped-up by my more unsavory coreligionists in the Northeast, at pennies-on-the-Dollar.

Even at those bargain-basement prices, I have to wonder how the rag-pickers are going to make any money. Maybe they've got it figured out. Maybe they only THINK they've got it figured out. Maybe they're sly kombinators and gonivim, back East, and in Californa - adept at jacking-up the rents and then flipping to hapless institutional investors. Here, maybe they're about to meet their Waterloo. I wish them luck.

They're going to need all the luck they can get, because local developers are a bunch of Norma Desmonds, hell-bent on filming Salome, standing "on the stairway at the palace", oblivious to the dearth of need - or even demand - for their product, "And after this Fabulous Lifestyle Center, we'll build another, and another, and ANOTHER...".

Norma Desmond had her butler, Max (and oil wells pumping... PUMPING...), to prop her up. Here, the Developers have public monies to enable their senseless and never-ending cycle of construction and obsolescence. In the absence of significant growth of population or wealth, every time a new mall/lifestyle center/celebration marketplace/chic-urban-whatchamacallit gets built, another one dies. Whole sectors of the metro have become derelict, because of the senseless construction of NEW sectors.

For anyone from the outside world, attempting to invest here, I would sum-up the local commercial real estate climate with the old saying, HIER IST KEIN WARUM.

Nice piece, 2:52. Truly. Reaching some on the Norma Desmond stuff, but a man's reach, etc. Keep it up!

There is cronyism here (duh), but is that new or will it ever change? While we're getting rid of cronyism, let's eradicate adultery and fantasy football, too. Best of all, let's rid ourselves of hypocrisy and behave more like the Nazarene.

Some real crazies in here... One practicing for a stage play and one crying and lying. I'm going to type this real slow - it is not a kickback. It does not go into anyone's pockets. It especially doesn't take anything out of yours. Why anyone wants to be a developer is beyond me. Most of the dollars go back into the deal. And then they have crazies like you weighing in. You're wrong. Now, go cry some more.

I am so disappointed! I have listened to the Republican leadership do a very admirable job of calling Initiative 42 out on the fact that it will take the control of massive tax dollars out of the hands of the legislature and put it in the hands of 4 judges. How is what the Governor and MDA doing on the Renaissance development any different? The discretion that they have given one appointed official is mind boggling. They are totally ignoring our legislators who have said the "cultural retail attraction" tourism grant is DONE and are allowing one appointed official to continue to give away our hard earned tax dollars to 3 successful and powerful developers. If these developers can't build this development on the original site per the original application, without all the special favors and exceptions being granted AFTER THE LAW HAS TERMINATED, then they simply need to NOT build it. Please, please please somebody somewhere have the courage and the character to stop the madness! I will never understand why the legislature tolerates this; their authority is being totally usurped, democrat or republican, and I, for one, find it very disconcerting.

Economic development is about stimulating the economy.That is done through bringing new jobs and tax revenues to the community.

Construction jobs and any associated revenues are not ongoing. Perhaps, you've heard of " boom/bust"? And, too often the construction jobs are not community hires but are people brought in from elsewhere.

If taxpayers are paying for any part of construction costs and giving up tax revenues, they essentially are forced to be investors who do not get to share profits.

The " credits" result in an increased profit for the business and the developer.

Once upon a time, businesses had to get institutional financing or financial backing from investors to do their start ups. Lenders and investors assessed the risks and decided whether or not to back or invest based on their profit potential. Taxpayers do not have that luxury. We can only hope to defeat the elected official who didn't do due diligence in making sure we got more than we gave up!

6:08, thank you for that. But the fairy tale ended with the downfall in 2008/2009. Therefore, things had to change and incentives had to be created in order to stimulate the economy and to keep previously successful companies afloat and to provide for new startups and development. This is not unique to Mississippi.

This 'web' is absolutely the biggest crap you've posted in a while, KF. And the comments by the various economic specialists here also show the extent some folks can go to show their ignorance.

First, nowhere in this 'web' picture do you show the legislature. That is the group that established the 'economic development' program of providing this tax benefit to developers. The MDA is nothing but the agency the administers the program. Once it was created, and the developer applied for the program, MDA did its job and provided the funding mechanism. Wonder what all these 'kickback naysayers' would have to say if the MDA, or the Governor, was able to approve these deals or disapprove them - only on a whem. They there would be reasonable bitching toward them. But in this case, the MDA is shown as the middle of the web when all it has done is provide a program for an applicant in accordance with the law.

Second - the fact that the Governor has a child that works for a private firm does not establish a link such as you are trying to show here - and certainly not what some of the comments here imply in the way of kickbacks and favorable terms. The Gov's daughter is entitled to be her own person and pursue her own career - and should not be restricted by the fact that her parent is the Governor.

Third - Butler Snow is in the middle of this project because that is the kind of legal work they specialize in (among, of course, others.) And so are many other firms in the state - and they all spend plenty of time and effort maintaining their position on behalf of their clients.

To throw around the incriminating words like "kickbacks" and "schemes" that some like to say when a developer uses programs established by law and available to any other individual shows either absolute ignorance and bias.

And, by the way, I don't really care for any of the groups or individuals shown on this 'web picture'.

Sounds like Victor Cavett has found the JJ Blog and is sharing his thoughts and high-octane imagination here as well as serving as Clarion Ledger Editor in Chief.

There's a booger bear behind every tree not yet leveled on the Parkway. There's creepy crawlies and wooly boogers under every new hotel bed in Ridgeland. There's a cigarette boat idling at the Rez, ready to whisk Gene Magee, Feel Bryant (and two who are secret players) into oblivion as soon as their suitcases are stuff and bulging. They will send for their families later.

What constitutes a "troll"? Someone other than the 5 of you regulars? Someone who calls out the ridiculousness of this post or your comments believing and supporting it? Those things do not = paid material. You have a right to your opinion as do those who disagree with you. Difference being that the majority of the time, the regulars are here to hate and join a witch hunt.

Who is the Hottest Reporter in Jackson?

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything). Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up. In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!